23.4.19

Paris is one of the big loves of my life. I return every year, without fail. The architecture, the fashion, the dogs, the food, the wine, the art.. the list goes on as to why I'm so obsessed with it.

My girlfriend and I decided to book a trip over for my 26th birthday earlier this month and it was an absolute dream to ring in the latter half of my twenties in my favourite city. We went to Disneyland on my actual birthday, as we're both total kids at heart and Disney nerds. It was my idea of heaven!

Over the course of the next few days, we explored Paris and ate until we ached. We stayed in the Le Marais area, my favourite, and tried a handful of the new wellness cafes that have popped up around the city (Cafe Berry being our favourite, see their 'Special Avocado Toast' below).

We admittedly didn't pack correctly for the weather, as it was cooler than expected. However, it was warm enough during the weekend to wear thisbeaut camo-print dress* from iClothing's new sustainable 'Aware' range, which uses recycled materials such as cotton, buttons and labels to create on-trend and eco friendly clothing. You can shop the range here.

Exhibition-wise, I felt we had hit the jackpot as we attended both the Helena Rubinstein exhibition in the Jewish Museum (a makeup lover's haven) and saw the latest collections in the Yves Saint Laurent museum, featuring his iconic 1960's Mondrian dresses.

I'm already counting down the months until we can return again to Paris and overeat croissants. It really does have an air of somewhere special and I suppose that's why so many people love it.

22.2.19

(Please note this post includes affiliate links; I receive a small % from any purchases made.)

Since making the cruelty free beauty switch in summer 2017, I've had to trial and test so many products to re-find makeup and skincare essentials. It was an extremely easy transition to make in comparison to most; I used up any remaining products I owned that were from animal testing companies and donated the rest to friends and family. Luckily, I already had quite a bunch of cruelty free bits and bobs but my collection was lacking in many areas, especially skincare.

Below are 5 products I can't go a day without in my routine, especially Urban Decay's All Nighter setting spray*which I'd recommend to anyone on planet earth who wears makeup. It's a godsend. Think of it as the full stop of your routine. Whether rain or shine, snow or heatwave, it keeps my face in place - even liner! I'll never go a day without wearing it if I've makeup on.

I had never tried Bare Minerals makeup before I was sent a PR sample of their Bare Pro foundation* in the shade 01 Fair. It's a dream foundation for me, offering full coverage without drying the skin or feeling like I'm wearing a mask. I generally tend to apply base products with my fingers as the warmth of my skin makes it easier to blend in. You only need 1-2 dabs max of this to give full coverage. Not only is it a dream to wear, it also includes an SPF of 20, contains natural ingredients and is vegan-friendly.

2018 was the year of decluttering for me so I started to buy multi-use products more often like Beauty Bay's 'Origins' eyeshadow palette. I wear mostly nude, golden and red-tone shadows so a palette encompassing all of those colours meant I had more space in my makeup drawers. There's no point owning 10 palettes when you're only reaching for one colour repeatedly. They take up too much space and remember, makeup has an expiry date!

Alike to eyeshadow, my lipstick preferences tend to be on the grungy nude or Old Hollywood red spectrum. One of my all time favourite lipsticks is Charlotte Tilbury's 'Pillow Talk' from her Matte Revolution collection. I stay well away from uncomfortable, drying matte formulas but the Matte Revolution lippies are matte in appearance but nourishing in feel. (How does she do it?!) Pillow Talk is a perfect 'your lips but better' shade. Think 90's supermodel glam.

Last but not least on my list isGlossier's 'Priming Moisturiser'. Whilst I'm not as passionately devoted to it as some of the products above, it's a bloody good standard moisturiser. It's hydrating, non-scented and it creates a supple yet slightly moist base for makeup. It's fantastic for travel too, as you can layer it up for nighttime or if you're looking like a raisin after a long flight.

I plan on doing a regular roundup of cruelty free staples but if you'd like any specific, more in depth reviews of products, please let me know! Thanks for reading.

SHOP MY BEAUTY STAPLES:

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

17.2.19

Well, here I am! Back at it with a blog post. I haven't written a blog post since last April, just before Ireland's abortion rights vote and when my brain temporarily sizzled out.

2019 is my tenth year blogging. It's hard to believe that I started this platform back at the tender age of 16, stuck in the hell hole that was school and longing for an outlet to express my love for all things fashion. Fast forward a decade (I feel ancient even typing that) at the age of nearly-26 and I'm still working in an online world that allows me my own hours and my own rules. For that, I am ever grateful to teenage me.

-

We won our abortion rights vote back in May last year by an unexpected but welcome landslide. Throwing myself into repealing the 8th activism was one of the busiest but most rewarding periods of my life and finding my footing in a feminist cause has no doubt influenced my future.

I was grieving the sudden loss of my grandad during this time also and to say it took its toll on me would be an understatement. Between my lack of drive due to the emotional exhaustion of grieving and the stress of the vote, my online work was enormously affected.

Brands didn't want to be associated with someone so outspokenly "political". Many followers disagreed with the notion of women having full bodily autonomy and the right to choose. Fellow bloggers didn't like being asked to use their platform for something other than a laxative tea promotion. The follower drops came in the thousands, my Gmail inbox shrunk and I was broke AF.

Nevertheless, I persisted with campaigning and knew it was worth it in the end - to repeal the 8th amendment and to give myself the time and space to properly process all that was happening around me.

-

Currently, I'm going through a personal and professional shift. I've rediscovered my spiritual path and have started prioritising this element of my existence in order to find true joy and peace in life. The world seems to be imploding around us and searching for coping mechanisms within a spiritual space is crucial for me.

I'm also going through an online shift regarding my content, my audience and my priorities. I still discuss fashion, travel and beauty (topics I'll always love and got me to where I am today) but I have found a responsibility and opportunity to promote the likes of intersectional feminism and environmental awareness alongside them.

My interests have pretty much stayed the same but my ethics and obligations have dramatically changed. I use cruelty free products over big brand testing companies. I choose well and I buy less. I don't watch haul videos because I know it encourages impulse shopping. I share eco-friendly tips hoping even one person makes a small and simple change in their day to day life.

I've grown up and I've become increasingly aware of the power of having an online platform and the real changes you can influence by using your voice.

9.4.18

(Please note this post includes affiliate links; I receive a small % from any purchases made.)

Ruth and I shot this outfit post - one of my favourites of the year so far - in an old stables in Marlay Park, last week. Despite the constant rain, we nailed it, if I do say so myself! I was dying to shoot my new Jadon boots; I've wanted them for well over a year now and seeing celebs like Bella Hadid style them with everything from tracksuits to dresses, I knew they were for me! (They're constantly selling out but they're currently in stock hereand here so buy asap if you're thinking about it.)

12.2.18

(Please note, there a various hyperlinks below that'll direct you to websites, articles and pages with further information on the discussed.)

Many of you know by now that I'm a proudly pro-choice, intersectional feminist who utilises my online platforms to discuss important matters at hand; particularly Ireland's current abortion rights campaign. I've discussed our inhumane 8th amendmentin detail previously but to summarise: it's currently illegal for any woman* (trans men and non-binary people included) in Ireland to undergo the basic healthcare right that is abortion.This amendment, voted for in 1983, equals the life of the mother to that of "the unborn".

10-12 financially-able women* travel to the UK every single day to undergo safe abortion services there because they're unable to at home. They travel across seas feeling the weight of their shameful country on their shoulders and fly back home, to a land that sees them as merely incubators - without a choice and without a guarantee of future medical support.

February of this year finally brought confirmation thata vote will mostly likely take place on May 25th to repeal the eighth amendment and finally give women the right to choose what they do with their own bodies. Alike to 2015's equal marriage vote, the months leading up to this opportunity will be crucial in informing the middle-ground voters and anti-choicer campaigners.

Ireland still reeks of hey-day Catholicism and its chains and to break free of them, we must let Ireland enter the 21st century, once and for all. Our resounding 'Yes!' vote to equal marriage was one step forward and allowing women to undergo safe, legal and free abortion services, on our own soil, is another step onwards.

I receive questions daily from readers, followers and fellow-bloggers, asking how to become more involved in the Repeal the 8th campaign - needless to say, these questions have doubled since January's vote announcement. I thought it was best to put a blog post together, hopefully steering you in the right direction and encouraging you to become more involved in this life-changing campaign.

We're currently living in a 'fourth wave' of feminism that primarily focuses on intersectionality and the use of technology. Online activism has become an inherent part of campaigning for the equal rights of women, globally, and the Repeal the 8th campaign is no different.

One of the biggest ways in which you can get involved in Repeal the 8th campaigning, is online. There's countless websites, articles, blogs and social media accounts dedicated to the cause and if you've access to a computer, you've access to it all.

Following abortion rights Twitter accounts and campaigners, will involve you in the conversation daily. Ask questions, include yourself and add the #repealthe8th hashtag to your profile to let others know you support the cause and want to engage with it.

If you find you don't have the words to discuss your thoughts yourself (don't fret - it's a big topic), retweet others who do on to your page!

The same applies for Instagram, where thousands of Repeal-related posts are uploaded each month. Between Repeal jumper-wearers, infographics, personal anecdotes and artwork, it's all there for you to engage with. Alike to Twitter, let it be known you support the cause by adding 'Repeal the 8th' to your bio and post a snap or two discussing your involvement and why it's important to you.

Something as small as adding a 'Repeal' badge to your Facebook profiler or sharing a post from your favourite campaigner, can get a conversation going; a conversation that may lead to someone changing their minds on their original anti-choice stance or someone who simply needed that bit more information to solidify their opinion.

Online activism is key for 2018's vote because it'll be the youth vote that makes a difference to the outcome (as our generation has never had the opportunity to vote on abortion rights), alike to the 2015's marriage referendum. Online activism is just as essential as offline activism in a technology-driven world and it's wise to use our internet platforms and voice to spread the message.

Despite how crucial online activism is however, offline activism plays a necessary role too. I've been attending abortion rights marches with my Nana since 2012, when Savita Halappanavar died tragically from a septic miscarriage. Marching on the streets each year to demonstrate your activism, grabs the attention of not only national and international media but also fellow potential-voters.

Attending discussions and fundraisers, canvassing door-to-door or simply chatting to someone about the vote, can make a world of difference. I'm lucky that I have an extremely open-minded family so I personally haven't had to experience an anti-choice relative. However, I have friends who have had these conversations and they all reported back to me that patience was key.

We have to remember that a lot of the older generation grew up in a brainwashed church-controlled society and mightn't know the legitimate facts surrounding abortion, due to the propaganda they've been fed since childhood. (This doesn't apply to all of the older generation mind you but from chats I've had with friends, it seems to be the case for many). Be patient, understanding and highlight why the repealing of the eighth amendment is so important to you and for others.

LOCAL GROUPS

There are tonnes of regional abortion rights groupsset up all over the country; whether you're in Dublin city or in rural Ireland, there's one bound to be near you! Local groups are a fantastic way to get involved in the campaign and meet other activists. Regional groups hold regular meetings and campaign locally - whether it's door to door or in town centres. They're a key component in making sure everyone's informed and up to date, especially in the less-populated areas.

Rural groups generally tend to organise transportation to big marches and events held in cities around the country too, which can often be too difficult to attend for those without transportation options or simply the funds to get there.

CAMPUS GROUPS

If you're a student in Ireland, there's more than likely a feminist-focused society or dedicated Repeal the 8th group in your university or college.

Alike to the regional groups, these are a fantastic way to meet like-minded students and feel part of a collective. They're also a huge player in protests and marches, often creating their own banners to make their voices - as a student body - heard.

I joined theNCAD Strike4Repeal group this time, last year, before March 8th when people nationwide went on strike to demand a vote. Attending meetings and activism events made me feel part of a group and the team spirit really encouraged us to keep going, chat to our peers and rally up the troops before we marched! It was a fantastic experience to be included in before I graduated.

OVERSEAS ACTIVISM

If you're an expat living abroad or simply just want to support Irish women's fight for abortion rights, there's a heap of things you can do online to raise awareness that are listed above. Irish women's fight is all women's fight - when women are oppressed, no matter where, it affects all of us and our end-goal of gaining equal rights to men.

The Repeal the 8th merchandise that's sprung up over the last few years is nothing short of amazing. Anna Cosgrave's'Repeal' jumperswill no doubt go down in history, having been worn by activists, iconic feminists and politicians.

Wearing clothing, badges, patches and anything shouting your pro-choice stance will garner attention and oftentimes strike up conversation. I beam with pride and power when I wear my Repeal jumper, feeling encouraged every time a passerby gives me a nod in solidarity.

If you attract the "wrong" sort of attention (i.e disapproving looks or comments), hold your head high and simply say "I believe in choice" - or ignore them. That works too.

ADDITIONAL INFO & PROJECTSVOTING: I urge you all to double-check that you're registered to vote before May swings around. So, so, so many people are removed mistakingly from the register due to college moves etc and it's essential you guarantee you'll have a vote NOW. Log on tochecktheregister.ie and see within 2 minutes if you're registered. If not, follow the instructions given.

VOTING ABROAD: "Under Section 11 (3) of the Electoral Act 1992, Irish citizens overseas may retain full voting rights for a period of 18 months, should they intend to return to Ireland within that timeframe."

If you're unsure about whether or not you're eligible to vote in the upcoming referendum,click here.

DONATING: The Abortion Rights Campaign is run in its entirety by volunteers and 100% of funding goes directly to the cause. Needless to say, they're always open to donations to help get the message out there - online and off.Donate here.

CONTACTING YOUR TD: Repeal Eight have a pre-written email that you can send to your local TD here. Asking for the pro-choice backing of your local TD's and showing your personal support for the campaign is essential; it informs them that the very people voting for them, are focusing on this issue and are willing to reach out and question them about it.PROJECTS & GROUPS OF NOTE: My own personal projectRepeal Chain was a final year collaboration, that aimed to highlight Irish women's abortion struggle at home - and abroad, via social media. Others include: Everyday Stories, Not At Home, Artists Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, Una Mullally's Repeal the 8th Anthology, Strike 4 Repeal.MARCHES: The next big march (and hopefully our last) Votes for Repeal, is on International Women's Day, March 8th. Beginning at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 5:30pm and ending at the Dáil. All info here.

THE VOTE: May 25th 2018.

-

I hope this post has led you in the right direction and spurred you on to campaign and involve yourself in the historic fight for bodily autonomy. If there's a will, there's a way: whether you want to campaign online or off, there's an avenue and direction for you to go down.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and can only be won by patient discussion, informed education and empathy for women.

Remember: despite whether or not you'd undergo an abortion personally, that does not give YOUthe right to make that decision for others. The key word here is CHOICE. Please vote for it.

I’m Leanne Woodfull, a 2017 NCAD graduate, all round creative and Irish blogger here at Thunder & Threads. I began my blogging journey in 2009, after I read a magazine hailing it the “next big thing”. Fast forward nine years and it’s my career! Topics of interest include fashion, cruelty free beauty, travel and feminism but I delve into an array of different subjects from time to time. Do stick around and drop me a line on social media below. Enjoy!